Usman Yaqub, CIAT President, said:

“Coming as much of the UK faces a ‘red warning’ for extreme heat, the Climate Change Committee’s annual progress report is an urgent wake-up call for both government and the built environment sector.

“The report makes clear that we need to up our game when it comes to ensuring that our homes and buildings are clean, affordable and resilient. It’s particularly concerning to see progress on the roll-out of heat pumps slowing, just when our ambition needs to grow.

“The Committee rightly calls on the Government to ensure that new Warm Homes Plan funding is rapidly delivered (reducing upfront costs), alongside action to tackle regulatory barriers and ensure that consumers who make the switch are not punished with artificially high electricity prices. The Committee has also highlighted the need for a clear path to the decarbonisation of public sector buildings.

“But it’s not all down to Government. As professionals, we have a duty to deliver healthier, more sustainable buildings for our clients and our communities. Clean heating must become the default assumption on all new projects, and we must use our expertise to support clients to make the choices which will be best for them in the long term.”